Introduction, Symbols & Notation

by Evyn S. Charles

From Evyn Charles' book From Guitar Owner To Guitar Player

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INTRODUCTION

My goal in these next few weeks is to turn you from a guitar owner into a guitar player.

As with almost anything else you set out to do, there will be a definite effort involved if you are to get anywhere, and your progress will mostly be determined by your own unique circumstances. You will learn faster than some, but slower than others. It doesn't matter, the bottom line is enjoyment!

PRACTICING--you are going to have to do it, but... don't practice twelve hours a day or until your fingers bleed, or anything silly like that. Your fingers and hands will experience soreness, but this will quickly go away as you develop the necessary strength. I will trust you to practice at least enough to make this course meaningful. Go at your own pace.

This coursebook is designed to be an enjoyable starter kit for new guitar players. It should be all a recreational player needs.

Students looking to further expand their abilities will also want to explore the many excellent methods for building finger strength, developing speed, learning scales and arpeggios.

THE BEST THING YOU CAN POSSIBLY DO--is to get out there and start playing with other people. This course will help you get ready for this.

STRINGS

I recommend light or medium gauge steel, nylon or combination strings. These will be easier on your fingers as you are practicing. You can experiment with heavier gauges as your fingers and hands get stronger. The sound of different brands and gauges is a matter of personal preference.

Strings wear out or get rusty and need to be changed periodically. To make your strings last longer, wipe them with a soft cloth after every playing session.

USEFUL TOOLS

• Flat picks (I prefer medium)
• Electronic tuner, pitch pipe or tuning fork
• Capo
• Extra guitar strings, especially the likeliest to break: G, B, and high E
• Wire cutter and peg winder
• Notation paper and regular notepad
• Music stand
• Metronome
• Loads of patience!

SYMBOLS & NOTATION

While it is not necessary to read or write standard musical notation to enjoy playing guitar, I believe it can only be an asset to at least have some familiarity with it.

This gives you the ability to communicate with other musicians in a common language.

On the other hand, the guitar is a wonderfully unique instrument, and many symbols and notations used in this course will reflect those unique qualities.

THE FRETBOARD a.k.a. FINGERBOARD--will be represented by the following diagram:

 

Each of the six guitar strings has a corresponding number: Low E (6th string); A (5th); D (4th); G (3rd); B (2nd); and hi E (1st).

In addition, examples may show a fret number on the left side of the graphic when necessary.

YOUR LEFT HAND--is used for playing notes and chords. Each finger will be notated as shown in the figure below.

STRUMMING

Each slash in the figure below represents one beat in a measure of music. Arrows indicate whether you should strum down across the strings (downstroke) or up (upstroke).

At this point, use your fingers for strumming. Later, you can learn to use flat picks.

For upstrokes, lightly brush the fingernail of your thumb across the strings.

For downstrokes, lightly brush the fingernails of the other 4 fingers across the strings.

Try to produce a pleasant ringing sound.

 

Click here to go the next section of chapters - Holding The Guitar,
Positioning, Tuning and Learning and Practicing Chords.

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